NACS Urges Opposition to Internet Lottery Sales

NACS explains how allowing Internet lottery sales would "significantly hurt" retailers by reducing in-store foot traffic.

July 29, 2010

WASHINGTON - NACS sent a letter this week to members of the House Financial Services Committee, expressing its opposition to H.R. 2267, the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act (Act), which would authorize the sale of lottery tickets online. It also offered its strong opposition to an amendment proposed by Rep. Gary Peters that it maintains would exacerbate the Act's impact on retailers.

The letter said small business owners operating convenience stores would be "significantly hurt by the loss of income" from this bill €" not so much from the loss of revenue from lottery ticket sales, but on the foot traffic that the sales generate.

Additionally, the letter referenced the important role that retailers play in combating gambling abuses, especially as their face-to-face age verification protocols screen minors from age-restricted products, something that is not possible with sales conducted over the Internet.

NACS emphasized that the Act's treatment of lottery sales serves as its sole objection to the legislation, and it concluded its letter urging the congressman to oppose the Peters amendment to the Act as well as to exclude any provisions that permit Internet lottery sales.

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